Echinacea

Description

Echinacea is the ultimate in having good health and a strong immune system. It is a safe and effective herb, used by millions of people to maintain health through strengthening the immune system.

New Roots Herbal’s echinacea extract is prepared from the fresh roots of Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea, which are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. They are harvested at their optimal potency, and promptly formulated while still fresh. Echinacea is one of the most useful herbs you can buy, simply because it does much more than nourish the immune system. Called “king of the blood purifiers,” echinacea benefits the lymphatic system by clearing the blood of many encumbrances that may lead to health issues later.

Echinacea is rich in polysaccharides and phytosterols, which have potent nonspecific stimulatory actions on the immune system. Research has indicated that they stimulate the alternative complement pathway, which helps activate general immune cells to scavange for bacteria and cellular debris. The roots of E. angustifolia contain significant amounts of the glycoside echinacoside, which has a mild antibiotic activity. Other components in echinacea, such as the polysaccharide echinaciin, also have antibiotic and antifungal activity. E. purpurea contains components, mainly echinacin, with cortisone-like activity and which help with wound healing by inhibiting inflammatory hyaluronidase enzyme. E. purpurea also contains sesquiterpene esters which have immunostimulatory activity.

Echinacea has been used to boost the immune system; to help speed wound healing; to reduce inflammations; and to treat colds, flus, and infections. Many of the active components of echinacea have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Echinacea has also been used externally to cleanse and heal wounds, eczema, burns, psoriasis, herpes, vaginitis, canker sores, abscesses, and other skin conditions.

Directions of Use

Shake well. Adults and adolescents 15 and over: Take at the first sign of infection. Take 2 teaspoons daily or as directed by your health-care practitioner. Consult a health-care practitioner for use beyond 8 weeks.